Biography
Who is Karim Ansarifard?
Early life and education
Karim Ansarifard was born on April 3, 1990, in the city of Ardabil, Iran. He pursued his higher education at the Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch. His early interest in the sport led him to join training camps in his hometown.
It was during these sessions in Ardabil that he caught the attention of Ali Daei, a prominent coach. This initial scouting helped him enter the youth academy and reserve squad of the club Saipa. This period laid the foundation for his professional path in the sport.
Career in the Iranian Pro League
Karim began his professional path at Saipa F.C. Where he moved to the first team after 12 weeks in the reserves. He quickly made an impact, scoring 13 goals during the 2009–10 season. In the 2011–12 campaign, he secured the title of the league's top scorer with 21 goals and 5 assists.
In 2012, he signed a contract with Persepolis F.C. And played wearing the number 9 shirt. His time there included scoring hat-tricks against Paykan and Malavan. Following his departure from Persepolis, he joined Tractor F.C. For a one-year stint. During this time, he won the Hazfi Cup title and earned recognition as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. He also finished as the top scorer of the season again while playing for the team from Tabriz.
International and European career
His career expanded significantly when he moved abroad to play for European teams. He joined CA Osasuna in Spain in 2014, making his league debut that October against Racing de Santander. In 2015, he signed with the Greek club Panionios, where he scored multiple goals including a brace against PAS Giannina.
In 2017, he transferred to Olympiacos for a reported fee of 400,000 euros. He was assigned the number 17 shirt. During his tenure at Olympiacos, he achieved success in the UEFA Europa League, earning the Player of the Week honor after his performance against Osmanlıspor. His career continued with stints at Nottingham Forest in England, Al-Sailiya in Qatar, and later a return to Greece with AEK Athens.
Personal attributes
Standing 181 centimeters tall, Karim has established himself as a forward with a well-known scoring record across different leagues. His playing style early in his career drew comparisons to Ali Daei, the coach who first scouted him. FIFA and other soccer publications recognized him as a significant talent during his younger years in the sport.
Birthday and age
Karim Ansarifard was born on April 3, 1990, which makes Karim 36 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Karim shares the date with 38 other famous people.
